Enhancing Genome Mapping Infrastructure for Vegetable Crop Improvement
Abstract
The Principal Investigator (PI), an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at West Virginia State University (WVSU), has received a Department of Defense (DoD) Research Instrumentation (RI) award under the Research and Educational Program (REP) for Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI). Funds will be used to purchase an Illumina NextSeq¨ 500 next-generation sequencing (NGS) system and a BioNano Genomics Irys¨ optical scanning system platform. These instruments will provide complementary capabilities, as the NextSeq system will be used for whole-genome sequencing (as well as other applications such as epigenomics, transcriptional analysis, and DNA-protein interactions), while the Irys system will be used to generate optical maps from the resulting whole genome sequences. The proposed instrumentation represents new capabilities for WVSU, and will be used by the PI and other researchers. It will significantly enhance research on the genetics and breeding of economically important food crops including melons, pumpkins, sweet potato, and peppers by accelerating the identification of genes associated with traits such as fruit yield/quality and resistance to pathogens or drought, in addition to those that may have pharmaceutical or nutraceutical value. The instrumentation will also be used to understand adaptation mechanisms of native and invasive plants to better inform land reclamation efforts. This research overlaps with areas of interest to the DoD, particularly the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)Õs research programs on pathogen predators as well as technologies for host resistance (THoR). In particular, discoveries from WVSU research on mechanisms of tolerance and the identification of disease-resistant varieties will help stabilize the food supply in the face of a growing global population and shrinking access to arable land. These measures may help counteract the economic and political instability that can arise from food insecurity and which may necessitate U.S. military intervention and aid operations. The proposed instrumentation will benefit approximately 50-60 undergraduate and masterÕs students in the biological sciences and biotechnology at WVSU by providing access to genome analysis techniques through courses, as well as faculty-directed research in plant and microbial genomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics, biofuels, and environmental studies. Importantly, 26% of WVSUÕs students are African-American, and 80% are first-generation college students from an economically depressed region. By increasing their interest in STEM and educating them in modern genomics techniques, this unique training experience will allow these individuals to better compete for jobs or pursue advanced education, thus diversifying this countryÕs STEM workforce.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 12, 2017
- Source ID
- W911NF1610423
Entities
People
- Padma Nimmakayala
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- West Virginia State University